US health minister Robert F. Kennedy announced on Thursday a plan of “dramatic restructuring” of federal agencies subordinate to the ministry. It provides for a 10,000 reduction in the number of full -time jobs and the merger of some departments to reduce budget expenditure.
The ministry believes that changes will save $ 1.8 billion a year, but commentators express fears that dismissals of employees may slow down the process of approving medical drugs and devices and extend the waiting time for access to patients' therapy.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald TrumpErik S. Lesser/EPA/PAP
Earlier departure
In the context of an earlier departure from the ministry, about 10,000 employees who have recently slowed down voluntarily, announced by Kennedy, means a reduction in the total number of employed in the ministry with 82 thousand. up to 62 thousand Provided, among others Reduction of the number of employees of the Food and Medicine Agency (FDA) by 3.5 thousand, control and disease prevention centers (CDC) – by 2.4 thousand. and the National Institute of Health (NIH) – by 1.2 thousand
The statement of the Ministry of Health emphasized that “dramatic restructuring” is in accordance with the president's executive regulation USA Donald Trumpregarding the optimization of the number of staff.
– This reform will be beneficial for both taxpayers and people served by the Ministry of Health. This is all American public opinion, because our goal is to make America healthy again, “Kennedy said, referring to the Trump slogan” Make America Great Again “(Maga).
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Bloomberg Pool/PAP/EPA
“There is a real risk that this will cause delays”
The ministry reported that the reform reflects a new priority, which is the end of the epidemic of chronic diseases by efforts to “safe, healthy food, clean water and elimination of toxins in the environment.”
The NBC News station reached the circular, where it was written that employees can receive information about dismissals on Friday. The station estimated that a reduction in the number of agency staff, such as CDC, may sew the government's efforts in the field of health protection.
The ministry pointed out that the exemptions will not apply to inspectors or reviewers dealing with the approval of medicines, medical devices or food products. However, there were fears that there would be delays in this respect.
Eva Temkin, a lawyer from Arnold & Porter, who advises clients on applications for approval of medical drugs and devices, estimated that reducing the number of staff will probably slow down this process and will result in failure to comply with deadlines. “There is a real risk that this will cause delays in the access of patients to treatment methods,” she alerted
Source of the main photo: Bloomberg Pool/PAP/EPA